When compared to soccer drills, games have a bigger contribution in developing kids talent in Soccer practice , of which you’ll be sure once you get to the end of this. Not only are games more stimulating than drills, but the energy required is also the same like in a real tournament.
When it comes to soccer training, games demand intensity, are more fun and the kids appreciate the enjoyable aspect of the game while mastering its skills. There are a few guidelines that you need to keep in mind before introducing games in training sessions.
1. Each player must have the ball and play with it regularly.
2. Its vital that each player has an equal participation in the game. In no case should it happen that weak players don’t get the opportunity to play with the ball.
3. Do not adopt the practice of reward or punishment. They are not required in relation to the games.
4. The focus of the games should always be soccer skill building.
5. Preferably, you should abstain from enforcing any laws or limits in a game.
6. The games should be simple to understand and play. Difficulty in understanding the games results in wastage of time.
7. To finish, have the kid’s face tougher challenges after that have successfully gone through a certain phase.
Every player doing soccer practice should have at least 200-300 touches to the ball in one session. This activity will guarantee that kids are making progress in building their soccer skills. Some exciting, well-liked and successful soccer coaching games have been given below that aid in building player’s skills.
1. Shoot the coach: In this game, the kids move about in a crowd while keeping their head up and trying to shoot the ball to the goal. This has the effect of improving the dribbling and a player’s ability to concentrate. The most effective way to play the game is by introducing 3 kids initially and slowly adding on the number.
2. Freeze Tag: It accounts for great warm up rounds and helps kids in learning to keep the ball away from the defender. The game calls for each player to have a ball with the exception of one who must touch and not kick the ball. When it occurs, the player who has the ball does not move and acts as a goal post. The player can be de-frozen only when the other player has hit the ball between his legs. Keep playing till all the players are frozen.
3. Red light, green light: In this, the kids must stand in a queue. The coach shouts green light and turns his back to the players who must then move forward with their balls before the coach again shouts red light and face the kids. If a player fails to come forward, he must return and start again. This is a great game for building agility and focus.
So, this is it! If you like to know more about such soccer practice games, register for our youth soccer coaching academy where you will find several such resources.
Andre Botelho is known online as “The Expert Youth Soccer Coach” and his free ebooks and reports have been downloaded more than 100,000 times. Learn how to skyrocket your players’ skills and make practice sessions fun in record time. Download your free ebook at: Youth Soccer Drills.
